Bill Status of SB2427  104th General Assembly

Short Description:  SCH CD-WIRELESS COMM DEVICE

Senate Sponsors
Sen. Cristina Castro - Meg Loughran Cappel - David Koehler - Kimberly A. Lightford - Mary Edly-Allen, Christopher Belt, Ram Villivalam, Adriane Johnson, Li Arellano, Jr., Jason Plummer, Willie Preston, Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Laura M. Murphy and Julie A. Morrison

House Sponsors
(Rep. Michelle Mussman - Fred Crespo - Margaret Croke - Anthony DeLuca, Katie Stuart, Janet Yang Rohr, Martha Deuter and Gregg Johnson)

Last Action
DateChamber Action
  5/7/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new
105 ILCS 5/27A-5-3 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new


Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the School Code. Provides that, on or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school board shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time, except as otherwise provided; and (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time. Provides that the policy may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time: (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes; (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual; (3) when a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 504 plan developed under Section 504; or (5) when the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials. Prohibits a district from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local law enforcement officer. Requires each school board to review the effectiveness of its wireless communication device policy at least every 3 years.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Deletes reference to:
105 ILCS 5/27A-5-3 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new
Adds reference to:
105 ILCS 5/27A-5.3 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that, on or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school board (and each charter school beginning with the 2026-2027 school year) shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that (i) at a minimum, prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time, except as otherwise provided, and (ii) incorporates guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time or directs the school district superintendent or his or her designee to provide such guidance. Provides that the policy may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time (i) if a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student and the student uses the wireless communication device as prescribed by the licensed physician, (ii) to fulfill an individualized education program or a plan developed under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or (iii) if the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials. Provides that the policy may allow for certain exceptions. Prohibits a school district or charter school from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, or the deployment of a school resource officer or local law enforcement officer. Requires a school board or charter school to review its policy at least once every 3 years and make any necessary and appropriate revisions to the policy. Provides that a school district or charter school shall publicly post the policy on its website. Provides that if the school district or charter school does not operate a website, then the school district or charter school shall provide a copy of the policy to the parents or guardians of every enrolled student.

House Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes: Provides that the wireless communication device policy shall incorporate guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices within a school building (instead of wireless devices) during instructional time. Allows a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner (instead of just a licensed physician) to determine that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the management of a student's health care (instead of for the health and well-being of a student). Allows a student to use a wireless communication device to fulfill an individualized education program, a federal Section 504 plan, the student's health care provider's medical orders, or another written accommodation plan (instead of just an individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan).

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  2/7/2025SenateFiled with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro
  2/7/2025SenateFirst Reading
  2/7/2025SenateReferred to Assignments
  2/18/2025SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
  2/20/2025SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler
  2/20/2025SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford
  2/20/2025SenateAdded as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
  3/4/2025SenateAssigned to Education
  3/13/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt
  3/14/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro
  3/14/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
  3/17/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam
  3/18/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education
  3/18/2025SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
  3/19/2025SenateDo Pass as Amended Education; 014-000-000
  3/19/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025
  3/27/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson
  4/3/2025SenateSecond Reading
  4/3/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 4, 2025
  4/9/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.
  4/9/2025SenateThird Reading - Passed; 055-000-000
  4/9/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer
  4/9/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston
  4/9/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton
  4/9/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy
  4/9/2025HouseArrived in House
  4/9/2025HouseChief House Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
  4/9/2025HouseFirst Reading
  4/9/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  4/11/2025HouseAlternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Michelle Mussman
  4/11/2025SenateAdded as Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison
  4/17/2025HouseAssigned to Education Policy Committee
  4/21/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart
  4/22/2025HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo
  4/22/2025HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke
  4/23/2025HouseAdded Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca
  4/23/2025HouseAlternate Chief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Anthony DeLuca
  4/29/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
  4/30/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
  4/30/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
  5/6/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
  5/7/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Education Policy Committee; by Voice Vote
  5/7/2025HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 010-001-001
  5/7/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter
  5/7/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  5/12/2025HouseAdded Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson